Vacuum-cleaner.



R. B. HUTOHISON. VAGUUM GLEANEB.

, APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2, 1908.

v Patented Jan 18, 1910.

Wifnelsses: 3 I

FFICE.

ROBERT B. HUTCHISON, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

vAcUUM-cLEAuER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT E. HUTCHI SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vacuum-Cleaners, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention refers to improvements in portable cleaning apparatus and is desi ned for the purpose of removin dust, etc., rom floors, carpets, or other surfaces, by suction.

The invention is particularly designed to provide a hand-operated machine capable of being moved around over the floor by a single operator, using one hand forthe manipulating handle and the other for actuatingthe suction producing mechanism. The machine comprises in its'entirety a main support or framework embodying a dust reservoir having a receiving conduit termi nating in a nozzle, a bellows device mounted for operation on said framework and with relation to the dust reservoir, valve mechanism connecting and dis-connecting mechanis'm, and various other features of construction as. shall be more fully hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings z-Figure 1-is a view in perspective of the entire machine in position for operation. Fig. 2 is a plan view, partially in longitudinal section. Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sections on the lines III. III. and IV. IV. of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a view of the apparatus provided with a supporting standard for stationary operation, hose connection and nozzle for cleaning walls, etc. Fig. 6 is a detail View.

In the drawings 2 is the dust-receiving chamber or reservoir, which as shown consists generally of a hollow cylindrical body preferably tapered at its front end which may be conveniently made of cast aluminum or other. suitable material or of sheet metal as preferable, provided at its forward end with areceiving conduit 3 to which is secured, or which may be integrally constructed as a fan shaped nozzle 4 having a narrow transverse slot 5 through which the dust, etc., is drawn as the machine is moved over the surface to be cleaned. The entire interior cavity of chamber 2 is designed to constitute a reservoir for the dust, and is preferably provided with a backwardly disposed extension 6 of the dust conduit 3 ter- Specifieation of Letters Patent. Application filed November'z, 1908. Serial No. 460,775.

Patented Jan. 18, 1910.

are secured the terminals of the rearwardly extending double-sided handle 9, preferably of tubing, terminating in a cross handle portion 10. Partition 7 is removably secured to chamber 2 by means of bolts 13 pivotally attached to sockets 8 at 14, provided with thumb screws 15 and engaging bifurcated lugs or slotted ears 16 projecting laterally from each side of chamber 2 as clearly shown. By this construction, partition 7 and said chamber may be readily connected or disconnected by merely loosening the thumb screws and throwing the bolts outwardly, thus separating the chamber for the purpose of dumping the accumulated dust from time to time.

17 is an opening arranged centrally through partition 7 for ingress of air, covered by a flap valve 18, preferably springcontrolled, while a screen frame 19 extends beyond opening 17 into the chamber cavity,

being secured to partition 7 around said opening, and is covered by a bag 20 of muslin, ducking or other suitable screening material. The advantages of this construction are that the screening bag is readily removed for cleaning and can readily be drawn over the screen frame 19, which holds it distended, offering a large screening area within a compact space whereby the air may freely pass inwardly into the bellows and the dust will either accumulate on the outer portion of the screen or fall into the interior of the casing surrounding the chamber.

For the purpose of creating suction within chamber 2, I provide a cylindrical pump immediately in the rear of said chamber consisting ofa bellows made of an elongating and shortening cylinder 21 of leather or other suitable material. One end of said belows is secured to partition 7 by any suitable means as a surrounding wire 22 drawn around the edge of the-bellows material and pressing it into an annular groove 23 as clearlv shown, while the outer or movable end of the bellows is secured in the same manner to a head 24. Said head is provided with a handle 25 arranged preferably midway of the bellows area and also with lateral extending guides 26, 26, which guides may be made integral with the handle as shown, and secured to the outer face of head 24, thus providing a strong rigid construction. Guides 26 at each side are preferably of sufficient length or so arranged as to provide fore and aft bearing rings sufficiently separated to give a good easy running connection on arms 9 and prevent binding. Head 24 is also provided with a flap valve 27 similar to valve 18 and preferably springcontrolled, for escape of the air during inward movement of the bellows and preventing its entrance on outward movement.

As thus constructed, the entire apparatus is comparatively light and portable, easily moved around over the floor and operated by imparting a back and forward movement to the bellows, thereby creating a suction on the out travel causing inward flow of the dust, etc., through the nozzle to the interior of chamber 2, valve 27 remaining closed and valve 18 opening. On inward travel these conditions are reversed, valve 18 closing and valve 27 opening until the bellows is again drawn outwardly for the next operation, and these operatlons being continued as the machine is moved around over the floor, results in a practically'constant suction being exerted and resulting removal of the dust from the surface being acted upon.

For the purpose of preventing collapsing of the bellows 21, I preferably brace it by a series of rings 28 arranged at intervals within the interior, which may be of light wood or wire and which maintain it outwardly while providing for the natural creasing be tween each of such rings when the bellows is collapsed.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated the adaptation of the invention to the cleanin of walls, hangings, curtains, or any sur face which may not be conveniently reached by the rigidly connected nozzle of the machine as just described. In such arrangement, the apparatus is rigidly supported upon a standard 29 engaging the side bars 9 by receiving sockets 30 at each side preferably having set screws, or adapted to provide a mounting for the machine in any other suitable manner so that it may be operated by any one at a stationary position. In such use, the rigidly connected nozzle 4 issubstituted by a movable nozzle 4: connected with the outer end of conduit 3 by a flexible hose or tubing 31 as will be readily understood.

By this construction and arrangement the machine may be used for the purpose of cleaning any surface by the use of an addii tional operator or attendant for manipulating the nozzle 4, which as shown, may have a handle of some length for enabling the operator to reach any distance required.

Ihe length of the hose may be varied to suit conditions, and the machine may be shifted around upon its standard 29, which if desired may set flatly upon the floor as shown, or may be provided with casters or wheels as indicated in dotted lines, for the purpose of easily moving around from place to place.

The construction of the nozzle may be of any suitable form adapted for the objects in view and may be merely provided with a longitudinal slot through its inlet terminal, or may be provided with ball-bearings as indicated in my companion application tiled September 15th, 1908 Serial No. 453198 for facilitating movement over the floor.

The advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated by all those familiar with the class of suction cleaners. It is extremely simple and cheap in construction; compact, light and portable, and of easy operation, and not liable'to get out of order. It may be changed or modified in construction, design, size or various details, by the skilled mechanic, but all such changes are to be considered as within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A cleaning apparatus consisting of a receiving chamber having a terminal inlet opening, a separable head for said chamber having a manipulating handle, a suction bellows movably mounted on said handle, and valve mechanism providing for ingress of air from the chamber on outward movement of the bellows and outlet of air from the bellows on inward movement thereof, substantially as set forth.

2. In a vacuum cleaning apparatus, the combination of a receiving chamber having at one end a valve-controlled opening and atthe other end a terminal inlet opening, rearwardly extending handles connected with the back portion of the chamber, and a suction bellows slidably mounted on said handles and provided with an operating handle and an outlet valve, substantially as set forth.

3. In a vacuum cleaning apparatus, the combination of a head portion having rearwardly extending handles and a valve-controlled outlet, a receiving casing removably secured to said head and provided with a terminal inlet opening, and a suction bellows secured at one end to said head and slidably mounted on said handles and provided with a relief valve and an operating handle at its other end, substantially as set forth.

4. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination of a head portion having a valve-controlled outlet, double handle portions, a removably attached casing having a terminal inlet opening, and a suction bellows slidably mounted on said handles provided with a relief valve and an operating handle, substantially as set forth.

5. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination of a head portion having a valve-controlled outlet, rearwardly extending double handle portions, a receiving chamber detachably secured to said head and provided with a terminal portion having an inlet pipe eX- tending into the receiving cavity, and a suction bellows slidablv mounted on said handle portions provided with a relief valve and an operating handle, substantially as set forth.

('3. In a vacuum cleaner, the combination with a receiving chamber, of a separable head therefor having valve-controlled outlet opening, a U shaped handle having its terminals secured in the head at each side, a 15 suction bellows secured at one end to the outer portion of the head and provided at its other end with a movable head having a valve-controlled opening, an operating handle, and guides slidably engaging the U 20 shaped handle, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT B. HUTCHISON.

Witnesses:

C. M. CLARKE, CHAS. S. TEPLEY. 

